Three dimensional printing system integration

Abstract

A three dimensional printing system includes an appliance tier, a processing tier, and a work cell tier. The appliance tier (1) defines a client interface for receiving process parameters and data pipeline parameters for a given production job, and (2) provides instructions based upon the process parameters. The processing tier processes the data pipeline parameters and outputs a sequence of slice data arrays pursuant to a print engine platform. The work cell tier includes a work cell server and a plurality of functional cells. A functional cell can be a print engine, a post processing station, an inspection station, or a robotic transport mechanism. The work cell server transfers the slice data arrays to one or more print engines. Based upon the instructions from the appliance server tier the work cell server sequentially operates the plurality of functional cells to produce a three dimensional article of manufacture.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure concerns a three dimensional printing system for the digital fabrication of three dimensional articles. More particularly, the present disclosure concerns an advantageous three dimensional printing system architecture that enables the most productive use of resources and floor space.BACKGROUND[0002]Three dimensional printers are in widespread use. There are many technology platforms in use. A technology platform is generally defined by the manner in which a three dimensional printer builds up layers to create a three dimensional article of manufacture. One example of a technology platform is selective laser sintering. Selective laser sintering technology builds up layers of an article by dispensing loose powder layers and then defining individual layers of the article via selective sintering or, melting and solidification of the powder. A second example of a technology platform is stereolithography. Stereolithography technology buil...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a system for handling jobs in a three-dimensional printing system. The system includes multiple job handling servers. One of these servers acts as a backup in case of a malfunction to minimize downtime for the system. The technical effect of this implementation is to ensure efficient and reliable processing of jobs in the three-dimensional printing system.

Problems solved by technology

The use of dedicated terminals and printers is very factory labor and floor space intensive.

In some applications, 3D printed articles of manufacture may be more expensive than those produced from more conventional processes.

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